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To capture the photo, photographer Shikhei Goh took advantage of "superb lighting" and a friend spraying water on the dragonfly to simulate rain. (See more dragonfly pictures.)

The result is a "very striking macrophotography image that rose to the top of the "Nature" category for me because of its originality, beautiful light, rare action in a closeup image, as well as its technical perfection," said Tim Laman, one of three National Geographic magazine photographers who judged the contest.

Judge Amy Toensing added, "You can almost feel the dragonfly's experience of bracing itself against the weather. When I look at it, I want to say, Hold on tight little buddy!"

The insect's plight also appealed to judge Peter Essick, who said the photograph gives the dragonfly a "character us humans can relate to."

"It's rare indeed," Essick said, "to see a photograph that causes the viewer to feel a bond with a member of the animal world seemingly, but maybe not, so unlike our own."

Editors' Note, January 12, 2012: This caption has been edited to accurately reflect how Goh took the picture. The original caption said that Goh had taken the picture in a sudden rainstorm, which he has done in previous occasions—but not for the winning photograph.

Photograph by Shikhei Goh

Winner: Places

A double rainbow arches over the Philippines' Onuk Island after a rainstorm.

Photographer George Tapan "showed a perfect sense of timing and composition in the way he captured the two small human subjects in this beautiful scene, and that really made the shot," said contest judge Tim Laman.

The "very moody, beautifully composed" picture-titled "Into the Green Zone"-shows a sense of place via the dark clouds, rainbows, the spot of pink amid a pallet of blues and greens, and the woman's flowing hair, said judge Amy Toensing. (See more rainbow pictures.)

Peter Essick was also captivated by the detail of the woman's locks. It only "fills a fraction of the picture's real estate, but by capturing the movement at the apex, the photographer has documented a sense of style and flair," he said.

Overall, he said, the picture shows that "small things can sometimes make a big difference."